Healthy Homes Heat Pumps
Compliant heat pump installation for Waikato rental properties
Healthy Homes compliance, done properly
Under the Healthy Homes Standards, every NZ rental property must have a fixed heater in the main living room capable of heating it to 18°C on the coldest day of the year. For most landlords, a properly sized heat pump is the easiest, most cost-effective way to comply.
The catch: the heat pump has to be the right size. Under-spec and you're non-compliant. Over-spec and you've spent more than you needed to. Airmax does the MBIE heating-capacity calculation for you, installs the right unit, and gives you the paperwork for the property file.
How compliant installation works
Free landlord site visit
We measure the main living room, check insulation and orientation, and calculate the heating capacity required under the Healthy Homes heating standard formula.
Compliant heat pump spec
We recommend a heat pump sized to meet (and slightly exceed) the standard, so you stay compliant if the calculation rules tighten in future.
Installation & certification
Licensed installers handle the whole job, and we provide written documentation of the heating capacity calculation for your tenancy records.
Ongoing servicing
Annual servicing plans keep the heat pump efficient, the warranty intact, and your compliance defensible if a tenant ever raises an issue.
What's included
Every Healthy Homes installation includes the documentation you need for the property file. No vague paperwork — concrete capacity numbers.
- Heating capacity calculation per the Healthy Homes heating standard formula
- Written documentation for your tenancy records and property file
- Heat pump sized for the main living room (not just any room)
- Licensed refrigeration and electrical work, full manufacturer warranty
- Wi-Fi control included on Wi-Fi-enabled units — useful for property managers
- Service plans available — keeps the system efficient and warranty intact
Healthy Homes heat pump questions
Do heat pumps meet the Healthy Homes heating standard?
Yes, heat pumps are the most common way landlords meet the Healthy Homes heating standard in NZ. The standard requires a fixed heater in the main living room with enough capacity to heat the room to 18°C on the coldest day of the year — calculated using a formula from MBIE. Most heat pumps easily meet this when sized correctly.
How big does the heat pump need to be for Healthy Homes compliance?
The required heat pump size for Healthy Homes compliance depends on the main living room's volume, location, and insulation. The MBIE formula generates a minimum heating capacity in kW — typically between 2.4kW and 6kW for an average NZ lounge. We calculate this for your specific property during the free site visit, so the heat pump you install is genuinely compliant.
Which rooms need a heat pump under Healthy Homes?
Only the main living room needs a fixed heater under the Healthy Homes heating standard. The main living room is usually the lounge or open-plan living area — not bedrooms or smaller rooms. The fixed heater must meet the calculated capacity for that specific room, and a heat pump installed there generally covers compliance.
When do landlords need to comply with Healthy Homes?
All private rental properties in NZ had to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards by 1 July 2025. New or renewed tenancies require compliance within 120 days of the start date. Boarding houses and Kāinga Ora properties have separate dates. If you're letting a property and haven't installed a compliant heater yet, you're already non-compliant — fines apply.
How much does a Healthy Homes compliant heat pump cost?
A Healthy Homes compliant heat pump in NZ typically costs between $2,500 and $4,500 installed, depending on the required capacity (kW), brand, and installation complexity. Smaller rooms can be at the lower end; larger open-plan living areas with high heat loss often need 4.5–6kW units which push toward the upper end. We provide fixed quotes after a free site visit.
Can a heat pump installed in a bedroom count for compliance?
No. A heat pump installed in a bedroom does not satisfy the Healthy Homes heating standard. The standard specifies the main living room — generally the largest connected living/lounge/dining space — must have the compliant heater. A heat pump elsewhere is fine for comfort but doesn't count for compliance.
Do you provide compliance documentation?
Yes. After installation we provide written documentation of the heat pump's heating capacity, the room measurements used, and the MBIE formula result — everything you need on the property file to demonstrate compliance if a tenant or the Tenancy Tribunal ever asks.
